SCOBA Encyclical for the Orthodox Christian Campus Commission

October 29, 2002

Dear brothers and concelebrants in Christ,

During the past year, we were pleased to bless and endorse the revival of the Orthodox Christian Campus Commission. Many of you will recall that this commission was first created in 1965, and led to the establishment of a vibrant campus ministry program throughout North America. Many of the present clergy and leaders in our parishes are products of that effort.

Later, in the 80’s and 90’s, though Orthodox Christian Fellowships continued to exist on some campuses, the national office and coordination ceased to function. Now, through efforts coordinated by our jurisdictional Youth Departments this ministry has been revived. A Campus Ministry Office has been established, under the guidance of the SCOBA Campus Commission, whose members we have appointed.

At this time we are writing to commend this effort to you and to all your clergy and faithful. We ask that you encourage your clergy to join this effort if a college or university lies within the area of a local parish, and that your faithful also be encouraged to welcome and assist Orthodox Christian students seeking to maintain their identity as Orthodox Christians during these important and difficult years of their lives.

A new web-site, www.ocf.net, has been established for Orthodox college students; The Basil Leaf, the official OCF newsletter, is produced by students for students; and the Real Break mission trip, which takes place during Spring Break, has reached over 300 students in the past three years. The Campus Commission has been working diligently to facilitate these programs. Further information is available from the Orthodox Campus Commission, PO Box 249, Boston, MA 02130. Tel: 800-919-1623. E-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

We urge you to support the efforts of the SCOBA Campus Commission to reach our Orthodox students on college campuses across North America.

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The Orthodox Church in America

The Mission of The Orthodox Church in America, the local autocephalous Orthodox Christian Church, is to be faithful in fulfilling the commandment of Christ to “Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…”